Encounters with Alumni from Greater China

The first ever recipient of the Lee Shau Kee scholarship at Wadham, Edwin Mok (Wadham, 1979) is a solicitor and lives and works in Hong Kong. Edwin is an avid art collector and is donating several pieces from his textile collection to the Oxford China Centre auction at Sotheby’s.In the late 1970s, I started collecting imperial Chinese textiles and English silver when I read Jurisprudence at Wadham. Collection to me is the preservation of history and culture and my way of fostering a connection with the richness of our ancient culture.There is a Chinese saying, “It takes 10 years to plant a tree, but it takes at least 100 years to educate a person”. This saying refers to the importance of education in the development of the mind which definitely takes time and effort. Oxford University provides world class education from which I have benefitted. For these reasons, I support Wadham as well as the University.When I heard about the vision for a new state of the art building to house the University of Oxford China Centre, I welcomed this worthwhile project. I have a personal passion for Chinese culture and at times, I feel that in the rush for economic improvement, everyone is forgetting China’s ancient moral values and losing interest in the appreciation of the richness of its culture. The University of Oxford China Centre, being an interdisciplinary research centre, will foster the study of ancient classical texts, the learning of the languages, the research into ancient and modern Chinese philosophy and art as well as the study of the economic future of China and its changing role in the world. The study of these areas will bring new understanding and dimensions so that everyone can contribute and map out a more dynamic future for China.As I have been collecting art for many decades,I believe an auction will not only raise funds for the project but also raise awareness among our friends and colleagues in Hong Kong about the mission and aspirations of the China Centre. I am indeed grateful and indebted to Ms Kate Foley from St Hugh’s College Oxford University, Mr Kevin Ching from Sotheby’s for coordinating the entire auction and various collectors such as Mr Chris Hall, Mr Richard Kan, Mr Simon Kwan, Dr Quo-Wei Lee, Mr and Mrs Rutherford, Mr Reyes, Dr Yip Shing Yi and Dr Yip Shing Biu for donating their treasures such as ceramics, paintings, silver and gold items as well as textiles to the auction.I hope this initiative may encourage others to support the China Centre in whatever way they can.--- Written in August 2011 ---

The University of Oxford China Office Limited is a branch office of the University of Oxford in Hong Kong, registered with limited liability and having charitable status under Section 88 of the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Ordinance.